OUTREACH
GOLDEN ECHO
Outreach: A look ahead
Sauk Valley Media/ SaukValley.com • Wednesday, Oct 27, 2021
12 COVID
While we are currently in the heat of this year’s Annual Open Enrollment for Medicare Part D plans and Medicare Advantage Plans, we want to remind you of some upcoming programs to be thinking about as this year begins to come to a close and the New Year comes to a head.
Benefit Access Application
Vaccine updates and information Boosters
The Illinois Department of Public Health has adopted CDC Recommendations for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine boosters This updated interim guidance from CDC allows for millions of Americans who are at highest risk for COVID-19 to receive a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster shot to help increase their protection. The CDC recommends ... • People 65 years and older and residents in longterm care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series. • People age 50-64 with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series. • People age 18-49 with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks, and • People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.
HHS launches hotline to improve access to vaccines for people with disabilities
The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) connects callers to information about how to access the COVID-19 vaccine and related supports for people with disabilities. DIAL connects callers to vaccine sites and provides information related to barriers to vaccination by referring callers to local and national disability resources. More info: acl.gov/dial, 888-677-1199 from 8 a.m.-7 p.m., or DIAL@n4a.org
Vaccine verification
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has launched an immunization portal, Vax Verify, that will allow Illinois residents 18 years and older to check their COVID-19 vaccination record. Vax Verify can be accessed at https://idphportal.illinois.gov.
Better known as the license plate discount application, this program, administered through the Illinois Department on Aging, provides qualified individuals with a license plate discount on one renewal sticker, per household, per year and runs for a two year period at a time. For New Applicants ... • Call to discuss program and provide personal data if new client. • Drop off, email, fax or mail the following: Proof of income, Federal 1040 form, Schedule 1 and Schedule D (if applicable), 1099’s for all income reported We will complete your application and call you once approved. For Previous Applicants ... • Call to determine your renewal period to reapply. • Drop of, email, fax or mail proof of income (same as above) We will complete your application and call you once approved.
All About ITAC
Are you having trouble hearing on your cellphone or landline phone? Do you find yourself often asking what someone said, just agreeing
with them, or saying “okay” because you didn’t really catch what they said? If that sounds familiar then perhaps it’s time for you to get an amplified phone for your home or a Bluetooth amplified device for your cellphone. It’s simple, it’s free and you can count on us, as the Lee County’s area test site, to help you find the best piece of equipment for you. For New Applicants ... • Schedule an appointment • Bring your phone bill and ID (proof of residency) • Test the equipment with us (phones) • Return the physician’s form to us if haven’t yet • Receive new phone or Bluetooth equipment in mail in about 2 weeks For Renewal Applicants ... Did you know that you can actually renew your equipment every 3 years? That’s right, we can re-test you to see if the same piece still works the best (if still available) or if a newer piece of equipment may work better for you. • Call to verify your renewal time frame and schedule an appointment if able • Test the equipment with us (phones) • Receive new phone or Bluetooth equipment in mail in about 2 weeks
How to reach Outreach
You can reach us at 815-288-9236 and ask for Outreach to learn more. You can also reach out to us via email at lccoaoutreach1@comcast.net. We look forward to assisting you soon! Until then, have a Happy Thanksgiving!
License discounts, amplified phones, Medicare — Outreach can help Do you need help with a license sticker discount, an amplified phone or have Medicare questions? The Outreach Dept. at WCSC can help! We have a team of trained SHIP Certified Counselors to assist you. Call us at 622-9230, ext. 194.
Discount available for registration sticker
The Benefit Access Application, offered through the IDOA, is an online-only application. You must be 65 years of age, or able to prove disability status, and fall within the income guideline, using the prior tax season (form 1040) and accompanying documents. If you don’t file income taxes, then we will need all 1099’s and other income from that year. All income is counted including your full Social Security. Income guidelines are $33,562 for singles, $44,533 for couples and $55,500 for a 3-person household. Call WCSC at 622-9230, ext. 194, to complete your application.
ITAC can amplify your life
Amplified phones and Bluetooth devices are available free of charge to those who have an
already established land-line or cellular phone. This free program is governed by Illinois law and offered through the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation(ITAC). To qualify, you must complete an application, provide proof of Illinois residency, supply current bill of proof of pre-paid service and be certifies as hard of hearing. The WCSC is a testing center. Please call 622-9230, ext. 194, to schedule your appointment. No walk-ins will be taken at this time. Covid pre-screening questionnaire and a temperature screening will take place at door No. 4 on the day of your appointment.
Open Enrollment for Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage Plans
There are a few appointments slots remaining for Open Enrollment. We can assist you by running a non-biased Plan-Finder comparison. Please call 622-9230, ext. 194, to schedule your appointment. You may also compare plans yourself by going to the Mymedicare.gov website or by calling 1-800-Medicare.
